Kelpmax in Netherlands
 

Hello! I live in the Netherlands and am struggling a bit to find a local equivalent to Kelpmax here. I know of Maxicrop, but can only find it in the UK and haven't found someone to ship it to the Netherlands.

After searching I found a product called Metrop MAM, which appears to contain 18.7% kelpak (by weight). It also has a bunch of other nutrients. I cannot add a link as a new member, but it is easy to google.

So, I have two questions.

1. Is this an adequate substitute for Kelpmax? (Or does anyone know where to get it here?)
2. If yes, should I follow the suggested feeding or feed more heavily less frequently? It looks like they suggest using 0.5 ml per liter, which is a much lower dose than suggested for Kelpak, but they also suggest feeding multiple times a day, as opposed to once every three weeks. I suppose this makes sense, since the instructions are for hydroponics.

Also, a rough translation of the composition of Metrop MAM, if it helps:

• Total nitrogen (N): 13.8%;
  • Nitrate: 6.8%;
  • Ammonia: 7%.
• Phosphate (P): 13.8%;
• Potassium (K): 5.5%;
• Magnesium Oxide (MgO): 1.22%;
• Iron (Fe): 1.22%;
• Manganese (Mn): 0.044%;
• Boron (B): 0.0056%;
• Cobalt (Co): 0.0007%;
• Copper (Cu): 0.044%;
• Zinc (Zn): 0.63%;
• Molybdenum (Mo): 0.0056%;
• Kelpak: 18.7%.

Thank you!

Wow, perfect timing, I've been struggling with the exact same question! I looked all over the place (as in all over Europe) for Kelpak, with no success. My sister was supposed to arrange with friends in the US to bring up some Kelpmax for me on one of her business trips, but her company went under due to the crisis.

I'm not sure Maxicrop is an equivalent, as it's a different kelp species, and I don't think the extraction process is the same as Kelpmax and Kelpak (and that process is important)

I use Doff liquid seaweed but I haven't noticed any difference using it to be honest. I like how the one you found has a lot of phosphorous which most orchid fertilizers lack so would make up for that deficiency

Doff 1L Vloeibaar Zeewier Geconcentreerd Multi-Purpose Feed: Amazon.nl

here is a link to buy maxicrop which I will try over Doff next
Maxicrop XOTNF61L Bio Tomate Natuurmest 500 ml groen: Amazon.nl

The thing is, there IS a difference, and unless you've tried Kelpmax/Kelpak you won't notice anything. A lot of US based members can tell you that kelpmax has some pretty noticable effects. The cold extraction process preserves the active ingredients, which are primarily plant hormones. Other extraction processes really degrade the auxins, leading to a product which is high in cytokinins. Kelpmax/pak preserves the auxins, and when you have a high auxin to cytokinin ratio in a biostimulant, it kickstarts a positive feedback loop in the plant.

Auxins are naturally produced in above ground plant parts, and have a downwards effect, so to speak, but promoting root growth. Growing roots in turn produce cytokinin, which have a predominately upwards effect, promoting shoot growth. Which shoot growth you get auxin production, and then cycle continues. This is why Kelpmax/Kelpak is far above and beyond other kelp products, and is not just another seaweed product.

have you tried to reach out to the company for their EU distributors?

KELPAK CONTACTS

EUROPE (EUROPE, EASTERN EUROPE, BALTIC AREAS & MIDDLE EAST)
Contact : Robert Schewes
Email: robert.schewes [@] kelpak.com

Thanks, Camille. It is my understanding as well that Kelpak/Kelpmax is much better than the other seaweed extracts. It would be nice to find a local distributor.

@thefish1337, I have reached out, waiting to speak to them still. Will update if I hear anything!

@KingKong, thanks for link. I wound up ordering some MaxiCrop Take Root (Maxicrop PTRRLYBFL Take Root Plant Groei Stimulant, Bruin, 500 ml: Amazon.nl) just to see how it works. It looks decent.

I found this thread few days ago when I was looking for Kelpak as well. Couldn't find any webshop selling it in Europe either so I directly contacted Besgrow as they are the distributor.
They answered really fast saying I could order directly from them so I purchased a 1L bottle for something around 20€. Shipping is not expensive (I live in Belgium and they are based in the Netherlands so that could vary depending on where you live).
I thought I would share this information because I find it not very obvious on their website.
Their email is info[@]besgrow-europe.com
Hope this will help.

Thanks Leilabt! I just placed on order with them on Friday and was planning to update once I received as well. So it looks like the best way to get Kelpmax/Kelpak in Europe is to email them.

Thanks for contacting them! I've been meaning to do it but just haven't taken/found the time to do it. I'll be ordering some as well!

Kelpak ordered, I'm looking forward to testing it on my orchids! They are indeed very quick to reply to emails.